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C

Is Salisbury, North Carolina Safe?

Population 36,879 · Safer than 32% of US cities

Stable· 2023 FBI UCR data

In a community of 36,879, each crime incident has a bigger statistical impact. Salisbury earns a C with violent crime close to the national average. Property crime makes up the majority of offenses, with theft at 1,396 per 100K.

Salisbury Crime Rates vs State and National Averages

MetricSalisburyNorth Carolina AvgNational Avg
Violent Crime Rate410.6317.9363.8
Property Crime Rate1811.82053.51,832.3
Murder Rate9.0--5.7
Assault Rate313.0--268.2
Theft Rate1396.0--1,401.5
Vehicle Theft Rate365.0--318.3

All rates per 100,000 residents. 2024 FBI Uniform Crime Report + Census Bureau population estimates.

Overall SafetyC

222.2 crimes per 1,000 residents

Violent CrimeD+

411/100K (national avg: 364)

Property CrimeC

1812/100K (national avg: 1,832)

Key Crime Statistics for Salisbury

Violent crime in Salisbury is close to the national average. The rate of 410.6 per 100K exceeds the national 363.8.

Property crime is close to the national average at 1811.8 per 100K vs. the national 1,832.3.

Theft is the most reported crime at 1,396 per 100K. The national average is 1,401.5.

Assault is notable at 313 per 100K, above the national 268.2.

Salisbury Crime Breakdown by Category

Murder9
01.6x national avgAvg: 5.7
Assault313
01.2x national avgAvg: 268.2
Robbery56
088% of avgAvg: 63.3
Burglary300
01.1x national avgAvg: 269.8
Theft1,396
0100% of avgAvg: 1,401.5
Vehicle Theft365
01.1x national avgAvg: 318.3

Rates per 100,000 residents. Vertical marker = national average.

How Salisbury Compares

Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)

Salisbury
410.6
State
317.9
National
363.8

Property Crime Rate (per 100K)

Salisbury
1811.8
State
2053.5
National
1832.3

Rates per 100,000 residents. National averages from 2023 FBI UCR data.

Frequently Asked Questions About Salisbury Safety

Is Salisbury safe?
Not especially. Salisbury earns a C with a crime rate of 222.2 per 1,000 residents, and violent crime runs close to the national average. Standard precautions apply, especially at night.
What is the crime rate in Salisbury?
222.2 per 1,000 residents. That breaks down to a violent crime rate of 410.6 per 100,000 (the national average is 363.8) and property crime at 1811.8 per 100,000 (national average: 1832.3).
Is Salisbury safe for tourists?
Exercise extra caution. Salisbury's C grade reflects real risk, particularly for property crime. Theft (1,396 per 100K) is the biggest concern for visitors. Stay in well-lit, busy areas at night.
What are the safest neighborhoods in Salisbury?
Neighborhood-level data varies, but suburban residential areas in Salisbury generally report lower crime than downtown or commercial districts. For block-level detail, check the Salisbury police department's crime map.
Is crime increasing in Salisbury?
Crime rates have held steady in Salisbury, without significant movement in either direction. The city maintains its C grade.
How does Salisbury compare to other cities in North Carolina?
Below average for the state. Salisbury ranks behind about 71% of North Carolina cities on safety, with property crime being the bigger issue at 1.0x the national rate.
How safe is Salisbury to live in?
Worth factoring into your decision. Violent crime is close to the national average. Rates have been stable.
How bad is crime in Salisbury?
Bad. A C grade and 222.2 per-thousand rate put Salisbury below 68% of US cities. Violent crime at 411 per 100K is the core problem.
What is the violent crime rate in Salisbury?
410.6 per 100,000, which is 13% above the national average of 363.8. That includes assault (313), robbery (56), and murder (9.0) per 100,000.

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View all North Carolina city safety grades

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2024 FBI Uniform Crime Report data and Census Bureau population estimates. Safety grades calculated using national and state-level crime rate distributions. Not a substitute for local law enforcement guidance.

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